FACING 23 CHARGES: Ronald Hill

A FORMER social services chief accused of sexually abusing seven boys has branded the alleged victims as liars.

Ronald Hall, who was sacked for gross misconduct from his job as assistant director for social services, is alleged to have abused the boys over an 11-year period.

But 67-year-old Mr Hall told a jury at Manchester Crown Court the allegations were false.

He is alleged to have groomed victims with treats of cigarettes and sweets, but he said in evidence: ''I never abused them. It never happened.''

Mr Hall was giving his version of events while he was the warden of Broome House in Didsbury and following his promotion.

He is facing 23 charges involving the alleged abuse of the boys between 1963 and 1974. The Crown claim offences occurred at the home, in his car, on holiday trips and while watching a show at Manchester Opera House.

But in evidence, Mr Hall, who owned houses in High Lane and Didsbury before moving to Scotland when he retired, said none of the allegations was true.

He said the alleged abuse ''never happened'' and he had never touched any boy indecently while he was warden at the home or when he was the assistant director of social services.

Mr Hall admitted he was dismissed from that post for gross misconduct, but said that happened after his wife tried to buy a residential home to care for elderly people.

His wife's offer for the home was withdrawn when the town clerk told him it was not ''a wise'' move. Then an anonymous letter was sent accusing him of already carrying out work on the home in question and saying his foster children were working for social services.

''I hadn't interviewed them, but it was considered improper and I suppose they thought it was nepotism,'' he said. ''I was dismissed and there was a hearing in an industrial tribunal, but they rejected my application and found I had been dismissed for gross misconduct and that was the end on my career with Manchester city council.''